Adhesive agent for application on a sanitary object

ABSTRACT

An agent for the sanitary sector, which agent can be applied directly on a sanitary object, adheres there and can be flushed away only after a relatively large number of flushing operations. The agent includes fillers from the group of surfactants and also an adhesion promoter. The adhesion promoter is selected from hydrogenated polystyrene derivatives and olefin homopolymers and copolymers of two or more olefins, where the olefin homopolymers and copolymers may also be partially hydrogenated. The viscosity of the agent is at least 30 Pas, measured using a Haake viscometer, plate/plate system, plate diameter 10 mm, at a shear gradient of 2.62 s −1  and 20° C. The agent is so sticky that it can serve to attach bar-shaped agents in the toilet bowl. The concentration of the surfactants in the case of an adhesion promoter from the group of polyalkyleneimines is between 7 and 60% by weight.

The present application is a continuation-in-part of U.S. patent application Ser. No. 12/735,987, inventors Joachim Leipold et al., filed Aug. 30, 2010, which in turn is a 371 of PCT Application No. PCT/EP2009/000873, filed Feb. 9, 2009, both of which are incorporated herein by reference.

The present invention relates to an adhesive agent for the sanitary sector, which serves in particular for application on a sanitary object such as a toilet bowl.

These agents are viscous, generally pasty agents, which are applied directly to the surface of the sanitary object from a suitable container, adhere there and can be flushed away only after a relatively large number of flushing operations.

WO 99/66017 discloses adhesive sanitary agents which serve for cleaning and deodorization and comprise surfactants, water, fragrances and adhesion promoters. Following direct application on the sanitary object, these sanitary agents are flushed away only after a relatively large number of flush cycles.

A further development of these adhesive sanitary agents with smoother surfaces as a consequence of additions of polyhydric alcohols is disclosed in EP 1 325 103 B1.

Further adhesive sanitary agents based on block copolymers comprising oligo- or polyalkylene oxides or on aryl ethoxylates or alkyl aryl ethoxylates as adhesion promoters are described in EP 1 318 191 B1 and adhesive sanitary agents containing bleaches are described in DE 10 2004 056 554 A1.

The known adhesive sanitary agents can be applied in a simple and hygienic manner using a suitable device, they adhere to the surface of the sanitary object, retain their shape and are not flushed away in their entirety even under the effect of water, but only gradually dissolve completely after a large number of flushes.

The particular advantage of these adhesive sanitary agents consists in the fact that additional containers such as the so-called “WC cages”, the use of which is perceived by the consumer as being unhygienic, particularly when replacing the sanitary agent and when cleaning the toilet, are avoided.

In the field of conventional bar-shaped toilet cleaning and deodorization agents which are used in WC cages in the toilet bowl, in recent years a large number of multiphase products has been supplied:

Thus, for example, agents with an additional bleach phase are described in WO 00/23558, agents with a cleaning agent shaped-body phase and a gel phase are described in EP 1 418 225 A1 and cleaning agent shaped bodies with one phase comprising water-soluble salts and one phase comprising water-insoluble salts are described in WO 00/58434.

As a result of dividing the various functions to be fulfilled by a toilet cleaning and deodorization agent between several phases, for example a specific phase for intense deodorization and a special phase exclusively for cleaning, such multiphase agents are able to better meet the requirements of the consumer.

The object of the present invention is to provide a sanitary agent which can be applied in a simple and hygienic manner, which can be used in diverse ways and which fulfils consumer wishes with regard to intense deodorization and good cleaning.

This object is achieved by an agent for the sanitary sector, which agent can be applied directly on the sanitary object, adheres there and can be flushed away only after a relatively large number of flushing operations, where the agent comprises fillers from the group of surfactants and also an adhesion promoter, characterized in that the adhesion promoter is selected from the group of hydrogenated polystyrene derivatives and olefin homopolymers and copolymers of two or more olefins, where the olefin homopolymers and copolymers may also be partially hydrogenated, and the viscosity of the agent is at least 30 Pas, measured using a Haake viscometer, plate/plate system, plate diameter 10 mm, at a shear gradient of 2.62 s⁻¹ and 20° C. and the agent is so sticky that it can serve to attach bar-shaped agents in the toilet bowl, wherein the concentration of the surfactants in the case of an adhesion promoter from the group of polyalkyleneimines is between 7 and 60% by weight.

Surprisingly, it has been established that an agent with a viscosity of at least 30 Pas, measured using a Haake viscometer, plate/plate system, plate diameter 10 mm, at a shear gradient of 2.62 s⁻¹ and 20° C., which comprises fillers and also an adhesion promoter, where the adhesion promoter is selected from the group of hydrogenated polystyrene derivatives, olefin homopolymers and copolymers of two or more olefins, where the olefin homopolymers and copolymers may also be partially hydrogenated, can be applied not only directly on the sanitary object, adheres there and can be flushed away only after a relatively large number of flushing operations, but, as a consequence of its stickiness, can also serve to attach bar-shaped agents to the toilet bowl.

The special adhesion promoters mean that the agent adheres to the sanitary surface and that further materials such as bar-shaped agents, for example with cleaning or deodorizing active ingredients, can be stuck to the surface of the adhesive. Moreover, these adhesion promoters are characterized in that the agents comprising these adhesion promoters can be flushed away without residue and that the agents comprising these adhesion promoters are insensitive towards fluctuations in the mixing ratio of adhesion promoter to filler.

By adding suitable fillers it is possible, for example, to adjust the viscosity and/or the flushability of the agent and to achieve the desired deodorization or coloring of the agent.

A broader field of use is opened up by the agent according to the invention:

In the application of the agent as “pure adhesive”, the agent serves as replacement for the WC cages perceived as unhygienic by the consumer. On the adhesive applied to the toilet bowl surface it is possible to attach bar-shaped agents comprising active ingredients having their own functionalities such as conventional rim blocks with one or more phases, rim blocks with scented phase, deodorization tablets, rim blocks containing bleach etc., where the adhesive replaces the WC cage in an hygienic manner and is gradually flushed away by the stream of flush water together with the bar-shaped agent adhering thereto. It is of course also possible for tablets compacted from powders or granules or else water-soluble or water-insoluble plastics containing active ingredients to be attached to the adhesive.

In this application, the agent has at least one of the adhesion promoters according to the invention and a thickener. Since the adhesion promoters according to the invention are generally viscous liquids, the addition of a thickener as filler is required so that the agent has the desired high viscosity of at least 30 Pas.

Further constituents such as dyes, fragrances, optionally surfactants, foamers etc. can of course also be added to this basic formulation of adhesion promoter and thickener.

In one modification of the first embodiment, besides the adhesion promoter and the thickener, the agent also has perfume so that it can be used simultaneously for adhesion and for deodorization.

In the second application, the adhesive has the adhesion promoters according to the invention and, as filler, surfactants, meaning that it can itself take on the cleaning function as a result of the suitable selection of the type and concentration of the surfactants and optionally further additives. The adhesive effect facilitates the fixing of further desired active ingredients in the toilet bowl, e.g. of a fragrance, of a bleaching tablet, of a descaling tablet, of an advertizing medium etc.

With the cleaning adhesive, the consumer can thus, for example, select a scent corresponding to his current wishes and press the corresponding deodorization tablet onto the applied cleaning adhesive such that it sticks firmly to the adhesive, for example in order to deodorize the toilet for the next 1 or 2 weeks.

The adhesive according to the invention thus even makes it possible to offer the adhesive together with a series of deodorization tablets or deodorization gels, bleaching tablets, descaling tablets, intensive cleaning tablets etc. in a combined set and thus to make it possible for the user to individually equip the adhesive.

If the consumer would like additional bleaching, then, for example, a bleaching tablet is stuck onto the surface of the adhesive.

If the consumer would like particularly powerful and intensive cleaning of the toilet, then another cleaning tablet can additionally be stuck onto the cleaning adhesive. The build-up of multilayered agents consisting of the layers adhesive-functionality-adhesive-functionality is also possible.

In contrast to this, although the agents known hitherto and described at the start exhibit a good and lasting adhesion on the sanitary object, a “sticking on” of another agent is not possible with the adhesive sanitary agents known hitherto.

Besides use in the field of toilet hygiene, the agent can also be used as cold adhesive which, as a result of the added surfactants, can be flushed away with water. The agent can be used as cold adhesive in the sanitary sector, e.g. for the attachment of objects in urinals, but also in handwashing basins or on tiles in the shower, or else in kitchens, restaurants, slaughter houses or other places where water is used for rinsing.

By using the cold adhesive in places where water is used for rinsing, at the same time as rinsing away the adhesive, cleaning also takes place as a result of the surfactants present in the adhesive.

Likewise conceivable is the use of the agent according to the invention in washing facilities for the cleaning of motor vehicles or for application on/in drains or gullies, for example in order to temporarily deodorize these.

The agent according to the invention can also be used as a wash-off paste for accommodating bait to combat vermin or for attachment to windows or facades which are rained on, so that the agent is consumed gradually.

The individual constituents of the agent according to the invention are described below:

The adhesion promoters from the group of polystyrene derivatives are preferably crosslinked polystyrene derivatives dissolved in mineral oil, in particular alkylene styrene copolymers, such, as, for example, hydrogenated butylene/ethylene/styrene copolymers and hydrogenated ethylene/propylene/styrene copolymers, which are available for example from Penreco under the trade name Versagel M750 or Versagel M1600.

Furthermore, non-water-soluble olefin homopolymers and copolymers of two and more olefins can be used as adhesion promoters. These compounds include, for example, the polybutadiene rubbers, the styrene-butadiene block polymers and copolymers, and the polyisopropenes. It is also possible to use the “random (block) polymers” which are prepared by 1,3-addition of butadiene or isoprene onto styrene or alpha-methylstyrene, the homopolymers or copolymers of ethylene and propylene, such as the ethylene-propylenediene terpolymers, natural rubber and norbornene polymers such as polydicyclopentadiene. The compounds from the group of olefin homopolymers and copolymers may also be partially hydrogenated.

It is of course also possible to use combinations of the aforementioned adhesion promoters in the agent according to the invention.

The adhesion promoter brings about the adhesion of the agent to the surface of the sanitary object. The agents according to the invention adhere both to dry surfaces and also to damp surfaces.

Furthermore, the special adhesion promoters also lead to the applied agent being sticky on its surface, such that other active ingredient agents can be stuck onto the surface of the adhesive.

In general, the adhesion promoter also forms network-like structures which impart the required dimensional stability to the agent even under the effect of strong force as a result of flushing water.

The concentration of the adhesion promoter to be used is dependent on the particular substance class and the ability of the adhesion promoter to form a network and is generally between 2% by weight and 60% by weight, preferably between 7% by weight and 50% by weight and particularly preferably between 8% by weight and 40% by weight.

Furthermore, the agent according to the invention comprises fillers, which can be selected from the group of surfactants, thickeners, fragrances, dyes, salts, foam stabilizers, foam boosters, foam generators and polymeric natural substances.

In principle, surfactants which can be used are all known anionic and/or cationic and/or nonionic and/or amphoteric surfactants, preference being given to pulverulent to highly pasty ones. The surfactant fraction in the agent should be between 0% by weight and 80% by weight, preferably 10% by weight to 60% by weight and particularly preferably 25% by weight to 45% by weight.

The anionic surfactants take on several tasks in the present invention; firstly, they serve, in the case of polymeric water-insoluble matrices, to emulsify the polymeric matrix without completely destroying the adhesiveness. Secondly, they make a significant contribution to the plastication of the starting polymer (adhesion promoter), by serving as viscosity increaser (thickener). Preferably, the anionic surfactants should also be highly-foaming in order to indicate visually a cleaning effect e.g. in a toilet bowl. Last but not least, a good cleaning effect of the surfactants is desired which is supported by the good wetting properties.

As anionic surfactants, preference is given to using one or more substances from the group of the salts of carboxylic acids, of sulfuric acid half-esters and of sulfonic acids, preferably from the group of fatty acids, fatty alkylsulfuric acids and alkylarylsulphonic acids. Usually, the carbon chain distributions of the anionic surfactants are in the range from 6 to 40, preferably 8 to 30 and in particular 12 to 22 carbon atoms.

Carboxylic acids (C6-C22) in the form of their metal salts (preferably alkali metal salts) and their natural or synthetic mixtures and also alkali metal salts of sulfuric acid half-esters and relatively long-chain alcohols can likewise be used as anionic surfactants.

A further class of anionic surfactants which can be used according to the invention are the alkali metal salts of alkyl ether sulfuric acids. Alkyl ether sulfuric acids are, like alkylsulfuric acids, synthesized from fatty alcohols, which are reacted with ethylene oxide to give the fatty alcohol ethoxylates in question. Instead of ethylene oxide, it is also possible to use propylene oxide. The subsequent sulfonation produces the alkyl ether sulfuric acids in question.

The alkali metal salts of alkanesulfonic acids and olefinsulfonic acids can also be used as anionic surfactants within the context of the present invention. Alkanesulfonic acids can contain the sulfonic acid group in terminally bonded form (primary alkanesulfonic acids) or along the carbon chain (secondary alkanesulfonic acids). Typical representatives are alkylbenzenesulfonates, particularly preferably linear alkylbenzenesulfonates (LAS).

The aforementioned anionic surfactants can be used in their neutralized form alone or in a mixture with one another.

According to the invention, the surfactant phase comprises, based on its weight, preferably 10 to 90 and particularly preferably 40 to 85% by weight of lauryl sulfate.

Nonionic surfactants which can be used are alkoxylated, preferably ethoxylated, in particular primary alcohols having preferably 8 to 18 carbon atoms and on average 1 to 12 mol of ethylene oxide (EO) per mole of alcohol, in which the alcohol radical may be linear or preferably 2-methyl-branched or can contain linear and methyl-branched radicals in a mixture, as are usually present in oxo alcohol radicals. In particular, however, alcohol ethoxylates with linear radicals from alcohols of native origin having 12 to 18 carbon atoms, e.g. from coconut alcohol, palm alcohol, tallow fatty alcohol or oleyl alcohol and on average 2 to 8 EO per mole of alcohol are preferred. In addition to these nonionic surfactants, fatty alcohols with more than 12 EO can also be used. Examples thereof are tallow fatty alcohol with 14 EO, 25 EO, 30 EO or 40 EO.

Nonionic surfactants which can be used are alkyl glycosides of the general formula alkyl-O(G), where alkyl is a primary straight-chain or methyl-branched, in particular 2-methyl-branched, aliphatic radical having 8 to 22, preferably 12 to 18, carbon atoms, and G is the symbol for a glycoside unit having 5 or 6 carbon atoms, preferably glucose.

A further class of preferably used nonionic surfactants, which are used either as the sole nonionic surfactant or in combination with other nonionic surfactants, are alkoxylated, preferably ethoxylated or ethoxylated and propoxylated fatty acid alkyl esters, preferably having 1 to 4 carbon atoms in the alkyl chain, in particular fatty acid methyl esters. Nonionic surfactants of the amine oxide type, for example N-cocoalkyl-N,N-dimethylamine oxide and N-tallow-alkyl-N,N-dihydroxyethylamine oxide or alkanolamides can also be used.

The fraction of the nonionic surfactant(s) in the overall surfactant phase can be up to 50%, preferably up to 30% and particularly preferably up to 25%.

The surfactant phase can, if desired, also be equipped with cationic or amphoteric and zwitterionic surfactants. Examples of amphoteric surfactants are fatty acid amidopropylbetaines with C5-C21 fatty acid fractions, but also amphodiacetates.

Cationic surfactants are preferably used in acidic formulations in combination with bactericidal substances. Zwitterionic surfactants can be described by way of example as quaternary ammonium, phosphonium or sulfonium components which are joined, via an aliphatic bridge, to a further now anionic group such as carboxy, sulfonate, sulfate, phosphate or phosphonate.

Furthermore, olefinsulfonates, ether sulfates or acid methyl taurides can be added as foamers to the agent. If strong foamers are to be used, then preferably 1 to 50, in particular 1-25% of the surfactant phase can be replaced by one or more foamers, e.g. from the group of betaines, alkoxylated alkyl ether sulfates or lactobionic acid derivatives. These foamers can be selected from the fatty acid amidopropylbetaines with a C5-C21-fatty acid fraction such as, for example, cocoamidopropylbetaine, the alkali metal or ammonium salts of lauryl ether sulfates with 1 to 5 EO, lactobionococoylamide, lactobionooleylamide, lactobionotalgamide etc. or mixture thereof. These foamers can be incorporated easily into the pressure-sensitive adhesive. Preference is given to using those cosurfactants which are present in solid, preferably pulverulent or high-viscosity form.

Besides the constituents according to the invention, the adhesive can comprise further customary constituents, for example salts, disinfectants (e.g. oxygen or chlorine donors), preservatives, such as, for example, isothiazolone derivatives, foam stabilizers such as, for example, alkanolamides, hydrophobicizing agents such as, for example, mineral oils or (partially) methylated siloxanes and silanes, calcium dispersants such as sodium salts of polycarboxylic acids or dyes.

By adding perfume oil or fragrances, the adhesive can also be used for deodorizing the air.

Perfume oils and fragrances which can be used are individual odorant compounds, e.g. the synthetic products of the aldehydes, alcohols, esters, ethers, ketones and hydrocarbons. Odorant compounds of the ester type are e.g. benzyl acetate or benzyl formate. The ethers include, for example, benzyl ethyl ether, the aldehydes include e.g. citronellal, the ketones include α-isomethylionone, the alcohols include citronellol, eugenol, geraniol and linalool. The hydrocarbons include primarily the terpenes such as limonene and pinene. However, preference is given to using mixtures of different fragrances which together produce the desired scent note. These also include those perfume oils which comprise natural odorant mixtures, as are accessible from vegetable sources, such as e.g. pine oil, citrus oil, lavender oil, mint oil or oil from orange peel.

The fragrances are incorporated directly into the batch in concentrations between 0.25% by weight and 20%, preferably between 3% by weight and 15% by weight and particularly preferably between 5% by weight and 10% by weight.

If desired, salts such as, for example, sodium sulfate can also be added to the formulation as fillers, for example in order to increase the dissolution rate. In the case of particularly cost-effective product, the salt fraction can be up to 90% by weight. In general, the salt fraction is up to 10% by weight, preferably up to 5% by weight. Suitable salts are alkali metal salts of strong acids, such as sodium sulfate, sodium chloride or else sodium polyphosphate. It is likewise possible to use the alkali metal salts of the mono-, di- and polycarboxylic acids, but also alkaline earth metal salts of strong acids, such as calcium sulfate or salts of carbonic acid.

In order to increase the ability to be flushed away, calcium soap dispersants, such as e.g. ampho-dipropionates (Lonza KL grade) or maleic acid/acrylic acid copolymer Na salts (BASF Sokalan grades such as Sokalan CP5 or CP45) can be added to the agent.

Moreover, all dyes which do not have marked substantivity towards the surfaces to be treated with the dye-containing agents can be incorporated as fillers into the agent. If water-soluble dyes are used in the formulation and the latter then comes into contact with water as a finished product, e.g. upon flushing with water in a toilet bowl, interesting color progressions can be achieved which can also be correlated with marketing arguments. For example, a slow blue coloration (from pale blue to deep blue) can indicate the slow activation of an active ingredient up to its maximum activity.

Similarly, the adhesive can also be rendered acidic and comprise, for example, substances which dissolve lime scale or urine scale (acids) as fillers.

Furthermore, (co)thickeners can be added to the agent according to the invention in order to increase the plasticity of the agent. (Co)thickeners which can be used are, for example, bentonites, powder surfactants, xanthans, polybutadiene rubbers, polyisopropenes, block copolymers, which contain linked oligomers consisting of oligo- or polyethylene oxide and/or oligo- or propylene oxide and/or oligo- or polybutylene oxide, and also aryl ethoxylates or alkyl-aryl ethoxylates. The polymeric natural substances such as the lignins or their alkali metal or alkaline earth metal salts can also be used as (co)thickeners.

One preferred group of (co)thickeners is the hydrophilic xanthans. Through their use, a very hydrophilic compound is introduced into the agent which, upon sticking the agent onto a damp surface, immediately “sucks up” the water.

Furthermore, hydrophobicizing agents such as, for example, Aerosil, in particular thoroughly methylated Aerosil (Carbot Carbon) can be added as fillers to the adhesive.

If an increase in the rate of adhesion should be desired, so-called tackifiers, in particular from the class of hydrocarbon resins, natural resins such as tall resin or balsam resin, or polyterpene resins, can also be added as fillers to the agent.

In order to counteract unpleasant odors, the adhesive can also comprise malodor counteractants, which are preferably added to the fragrances. Such malodor counteractants are described, for example, in U.S. Pat. No. 7,288,507 B2.

The adhesive according to the invention can be applied and replaced in a hygienic manner without touching possibly contaminated devices attached to the WC bowl.

An essential advantage of the agent according to the invention is that it can be portioned as the consumer desires and/or can be supplied in different portion packs. The adhesive can be applied for example by means of an application syringe or by application of preportioned amounts by means of suitable devices. These application devices may be for example “clip systems”, grippers or small plates removable from films, dispenser systems with pretensioned elements which fire a corresponding portion e.g. onto a ceramic surface.

The agent according to the invention can also be applied in a simple manner at the same time to different places on the sanitary object, for example in order to stick on two or more active ingredients which, in direct vicinity, would adversely affect one another in their effect, such as, for example, a deodorizing tablet and a bleaching tablet.

The achieved adhesion to the sanitary object, even in the case of application to a vertical surface, is so good that the agent does not come off even under the additional action of force of streams of flush water.

The adhesives according to the invention can only be flushed away after a relatively large number of flushing operations. The number of flushing operations is naturally governed by the composition of the particular agent, the amount applied and the geometry of the applied agent and is generally, for an application with a thickness of 2 to 5 mm, between 50 and 150, in particular more than 120, flushes.

If the agent is used as adhesive in the toilet bowl, the durability is essentially defined via the flush-away time of the applied further body (bar-shaped agent). In the case of a conventional toilet block, thus a service time of from 100 to 200, in many cases >250 flushes, can be achieved, the adhesive agent being gradually washed away together with the stuck-on material. The applied amount is 3 to 15% by weight, in particular 5 to 10% by weight, of the mass of the stuck-on agent.

Preferably, the agent according to the invention is white, ointment-like, pasty and/or cream-like and dimensionally stable so that it does not “run off” or “drip”.

The adhesion and also the shape of the agents is retained despite the considerable forces (friction, deformation, shear effect) which act as a result of the water flushing.

The agent essentially exhibits pseudoplasticity, i.e. the viscosity decreases with increasing shear forces. If the shear rates are low, however, a severe flow constraint is observed; moreover, the viscosity curves at a shear rate ramp between 2.5 s⁻¹ and 30 s⁻¹ show the appearance of local maxima. There are evidently areas of differing viscosity or the agent changes its structure over the short measurement time (ramp time 100 sec).

The viscosities of these agents, to be determined using a Haake viscometer, plate/plate system, plate diameter. 10 mm at a shear gradient of 2.62 s⁻¹ and 20° C., should be at least 30 Pas, preferably at least 45 and particularly preferably at least 100 Pas. Preferably, the viscosities should be between 150 or 300 and 6000 Pas and particularly preferably between 200 and 1000 or between 1000 and 4000 Pas.

Preferably, the agents according to the invention which comprise surfactants produce a finely-bubbled foam which can be adjusted in respect of its volume by suitable additives (foam boosters). The foam numbers of the agents according to the invention should be more than 40 ml of foam. Particular preference is given to agents with foam numbers of >60 ml, very particular preference being given to foam numbers of 140 ml or even more than 200 ml.

The surface tension of the agents can be between 50 and 65 mN/m. Preference is given to those agents whose surface tension is ≦60 mN/m. Particular preference is given to agents which achieve surface tensions equal to or less than 40 mN/m. The surface tension is a measure of the wetting of the surface. The lower the surface tension, the better the surface is wetted. A good wetting effect is a prerequisite for a good cleaning performance of the agents under consideration.

The agent according to the invention is prepared by stirring the components together at room temperature.

The invention is described below by reference to various embodiments and experiments.

Table 1, which is attached at the end of the description, lists various formulations of the adhesives according to the invention.

The flush numbers in table 1 were determined on applied amounts of 2-5 g.

Table 2, which again is attached at the end of the description, lists the starting materials used for producing the agents according to the invention in table 1.

The adhesives of the invention according to formulations V18 and V24 exhibit strong adhesion and are so sticky on their outside that conventional toilet cleaning agents with a mass of up to 50 g can be stuck onto the agents depending on what amounts of adhesive are applied. The ratio of stuck-on mass of the bar-shaped agents to the adhesive mass here is at most 100:1, preferably at most 50:1 and particularly preferably at most 10:1. Better adhesion of the agent is naturally achieved if the adhesive surface is larger. The customary adhesive surfaces are between 1000 mm² and 800 mm² (full-area contact). However, they may also be less than 400 mm² if the adhesive is applied in the form of circular beads.

In all of the flushed-off experiments, the surfactants used were anionic surfactants. The flush numbers of these agents exhibit relatively high to high service lives.

Formulation V24 comprises only one (anionic) surfactant and an adhesion promoter. This agent consisting only of two components also exhibits the desired adhesion, the required stickiness and flush numbers of more than 100.

The pure adhesion promoter Versagel M1600 (hydrogenated butylene/ethylene/styrene copolymer) applied to the toilet bowl, by contrast, adheres firmly in the bowl and cannot be flushed away at all even after a large number of flush cycles. Toilet blocks can also be stuck onto these adhesion promoters, although the toilet blocks gradually migrate downwards with the adhesive Versagel.

Table 3 shows that the agents according to the invention differ significantly from the agents known hitherto from EP 1325103 B1.

To determine the foam numbers, 100 ml of the stock solution thermostated at 20° C. are transferred to a 250 ml mixing cylinder, which is closed with a PTFE stopper. The cylinder is then moved to and fro twenty times (inverted 20 times). After in each case 30 sec/5 min/30 min, the generated foam volume (ml) is read off and noted.

All of the investigated agents according to the invention adhere/stick exceptionally both to dry and to wet surfaces.

Also, they are so sticky on their outside that conventional toilet cleaning agents with a mass of up to 50 g or even more can be stuck onto the agents, depending on what amounts of adhesive are applied. In all of the flushed-off experiments, the surfactants used were anionic surfactants. The flush numbers of these agents exhibit relatively high to high service lives.

TABLE 1 V18 V24 in g in g Tensopol USP 49.6 70.0 surfactant 94 Versagel 36.7 30.0 adhesion M1600 promoter Kelzan ASX 0.99 thickener Orange Fun 12.71 perfume Total [in g] 100.00 100 Flushes: >150 130

TABLE 2 Manufacturer Grade Chemistry Function Tensopol USP 94 Manro Tensopol USP 94 C12-C16 lauryl sulfate surfactant Orange Fun Quest # F561415 perfume Kelzan ASX Kelco Kelzan ASX Xanthan Thickener/cothickener Versagel sblack/Penreco M1600 Mineral oil (and) adhesion promoter M1600 hydrogenated butylene/- ethylene/styrene copolymer (and) hydrogenated ethylene/- propylene/styrene copolymer

TABLE 3 Foam number [Pas], PP, 10 mm, [Pas], Senior PK 5, Experiment number [mm] 20° C., γ′ = 2.62 s⁻ 20° C., ¹γ′ = 0.3 s⁻¹ Surface tension 18 n.d. 328 not measurable n.d. Comparison gel from 70/25/10 524 n.d. 56.6/48.7/45.5 EP 1325103 B1 

What is claimed is:
 1. An agent for the sanitary sector, which agent can be applied directly on the sanitary object, adheres there and can be flushed away only after at least 50 flushing operations, where the agent comprises fillers from the group of surfactants and also an adhesion promoter, characterized in that the adhesion promoter are crosslinked polystyrene derivatives dissolved in mineral oil and the viscosity of the agent is at least 200 Pas, measured using a Haake viscometer, plate/plate system, plate diameter 10 mm, at a shear gradient of 2.62 s⁻¹ and 20° C. and the agent is so sticky that it can serve to attach bar-shaped agents in a toilet bowl, wherein the surfactant fraction in the agent is between about 50%, by weight, and 80%, by weight and the fraction of the adhesion promoter in the agent is between about 37% and 70% by weight.
 2. The agent as claimed in claim 1, characterized in that the crosslinked polystyrene derivatives dissolved in mineral oil are alkylene styrene copolymers.
 3. The agent as claimed in claim 2, characterized in that the alkylene styrene copolymers are selected from the group of hydrogenated butylene/ethylene/styrene copolymers and hydrogenated ethylene/propylene/styrene copolymers.
 4. The agent as claimed in claim 1, characterized in that the concentration of the adhesion promoter in the agent is between about 37% by weight and 50% by weight.
 5. The agent as claimed in claim 1, characterized in that the agent further comprises additional fillers, which additional fillers are selected from the group of thickeners, fragrances, dyes, salts, foam stabilizers, foam boosters, and foam generators.
 6. The agent as claimed in claim 5, characterized in that the agent comprises fragrances or perfume oils in a concentrations between 0.25% by weight and 20% by weight.
 7. The agent as claimed in claim 5, characterized in that the agent comprises up to 90% by weight of salts.
 8. The agent as claimed in claim 5, characterized in that the agent comprises thickeners from the group of bentonites, powder surfactants, xanthans, polybutadiene rubbers, polyisopropenes, block copolymers, aryl ethoxylates and alkyl-aryl ethoxylates.
 9. The agent as claimed in claim 1, characterized in that the surfactant fraction in the agent is between about 50% and 70% by weight.
 10. The agent as claimed in claim 1, characterized in that the surfactants are pulverulent or highly pasty.
 11. The agent as claimed in claim 1, characterized in that the surfactants are selected from the group of salts of carboxylic acids, sulfuric acid half-esters, sulfonic acids, and fatty alcohol ethoxides.
 12. The agent as claimed in claim 1, characterized in that the surfactants are nonionic surfactants and are selected from the group of alcohol ethoxylates, alkyl glycosides, alkoxylated fatty acid alkyl esters, amine oxides and alkanolamides.
 13. The agent as claimed in claim 1, wherein the surfactant is present in an amount constituting about 50 to 70% by weight of the agent and wherein the adhesion promoter is present in an amount constituting about 37% by weight of the agent.
 14. The agent as claimed in claim 1, wherein the surfactant is an anionic surfactant present in an amount constituting about 50% by weight of the agent and wherein the adhesion promoter is a hydrogenated butylene/ethylene/styrene copolymer present in an amount constituting about 37% by weight of the agent.
 15. The agent as claimed claim 1, characterized in that the agent is a water-soluble and/or water-dispersible temporarily adhering adhesive.
 16. The agent as claimed in claim 1, characterized in that the agent comprises cleaning, deodorization, bleaching and/or coloring additives.
 17. The agent as claimed in claim 1, characterized in that the agent is ointment-like, pasty and/or cream-like and dimensionally stable.
 18. The agent as claimed in claim 1, characterized in that the surface tension of the agent is between 50 and 65 mN/m.
 19. An agent for the sanitary sector, which agent can be applied directly on the sanitary object, adheres there and can be flushed away only after at least 50 flushing operations, where the agent consists of 70%, by weight of the agent, of an anionic surfactant and 30%, by weight of the agent, of a hydrogenated butylene/ethylene/styrene copolymer as an adhesion promoter, and the viscosity of the agent is at least 200 Pas, measured using a Haake viscometer, plate/plate system, plate diameter 10 mm, at a shear gradient of 2.62 s⁻¹ and 20° C. and the agent is so sticky that it can serve to attach bar-shaped agents in a toilet bowl. 